[Pakistan] Construction of major water reservoirs must to curb poverty in the country: Suleman Shah

from The Pak Tribune

ISLAMABAD: Advisor to Prime Minister for finance, Dr Suleman Shah has said construction of major water reservoirs is must for poverty alleviations in the country.

He said this while addressing a press conference on the conclusion of Pakistan Development Forum Conference here Thursday. State minister for economic affairs division, Hina Rabbani Khar, state minister for finance, Omar Ayub, World Bank vice president South Asia and director general of Asian Development Bank were also present on the occasion.

Suleman Shah told that views were exchanged on various matters related to economic development of the country in Pakistan Development Conference. There is need to take steps to further consolidate private sector. The benefits of prosperity and economic growth should trickle down to the common man.

He went on to say there is need to generate environment of competitiveness in national and global market. SME should be integrated into main stream, he added.

He underlined the need to enhance resources for human development. The potential of manpower should be boosted and skilled man power be produced. The need is there that growing environmental pollution be scaled down.

Steps be taken for reduction in poverty by ensuring provision of social security, he urged. Development of infrastructure is essential. The water reservoirs be constructed on long term basis. We have to think how financial support can be extended to local government system and services, he noted.

He informed the participating development partners in the conference have held out assurance for providing financial and technical support. Financial and technical experts will impart training in this respect.

Voicing his opinion on poverty alleviation, he stressed that continuity of policies in economic development of the country be ensured.

To a question, he said that we will strive to bring down the level of poverty to half by 2015. However, inflation fuels poverty.

Responding to a query, he said due to persistent hike in oil cost, the prices of essential commodities have gone up. It is our endeavor that long term policies be formulated. We will try to control inflation so that the level of poverty could be reduced, he added.